When Chivas USA square off against Western Conference foe Real Salt Lake in the third and final leg of the season series, they will look to come away with three points at Rio Tinto Stadium – one of the toughest venues to secure a road win – for the second consecutive year.

The Rojiblancos dropped the first two meetings of the series to RSL, including a 1-0 loss back in April in the first leg played in Sandy, Utah. Chivas was able to secure a 1-0 shutout in March of 2012 and had opportunities to make it two in a row in their April meeting. After the home side was whistled for a handball in the box, Chivas were granted a penalty kick in the first half, but could not capitalize on the golden look, allowing RSL to claim the lead and eventual victory.

A month later, the sides met at the then-called Home Depot Center in the rematch, which was not nearly as contested as the previous. The Claret-and-Cobalt took a two-goal lead before midfielder Jorge Villafaña’s goal cut the lead in half. But Head Coach Jason Kreis’ club would pull away with two additional scores en route to a convincing 4-1 win.

The Red-and-White now come into their final road match of the season having not played in league action since Oct. 6. On the flipside, RSL has already clinched a playoff spot as one of the top clubs in the West and are in the race for the prestigious Supporters’ Shield, which the Goats would like to play spoiler to.

Buoyed by a pair of Reserve League competitions and a friendly against the New Zealand Men’s National Team to maintain soccer rhythm and sharpness, the Rebaño Angelino will also be aided with the return of Oswaldo Minda. The Ecuadorian midfielder sat out the club’s last match due to yellow card accumulation and will likely take his customary place in the starting 11 in the Red-and-White midfield. Minda’s return will also bolster the defense by possibly allowing the versatile Carlos Borja to return to his natural position on the back line.

Yet another factor working in Chivas’ favor could be the element of unfamiliarity. While RSL’s team has remained relatively intact from the previous two meetings, the Rojiblancos have not only revamped their roster since their rematch, but their strategy on the pitch. Since their meeting in May, Head Coach Jose Luis Real took over at the helm for the Rebaño, while the team was bolstered by the arrivals of striker Erick Torres with his seven goals and center back Carlos Bocanegra.

Wednesday’s match will kick off a busy week for the Rojiblancos, as they will have a short turnaround to prepare for their season finale three days later against the Portland Timbers, who are also in the mix to win the Shield. The mid-week action will be televised live beginning at 6 p.m. PT in Spanish on Super 22.2 and can be followed in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM.